Factions and units - info and descriptions

[The Wizard]

And yes, I did know that the Sassianians used Elephants, but I wasn't sure if the Parthians did as well. And I know for sure that Lesser Nobles were often bow armed... see my one pic with the two blonde guys.

I find the name 'Lesser Nobles' a bit confusing; I personally think 'Parthian Horse Archers' would be better, and the description would include the fact that they were drawn from Parthia's lesser nobility.



~Wiz

[sharrukin]

"azat" is the word for noble in Parthian. Azat Cavalry maybe?

400 Parthian Azat's threw an army of 50,000 mounted warriors against Mark Antony in 36 BC. Not all of that 50,000 would lack any sort of armour. We know they used spear and javelin cavalry who had some armour. The "lesser noble" cavalry may not have been able to purchase a full cataphract outfit but that doesn't mean they had to stay at home.

[Steppe Merc]

Agreed. As I said before, they were often horse archers, like in my pics, or lesser Cataphracts, often with no horse armour.

[The Wizard]

"azat" is the word for noble in Parthian. Azat Cavalry maybe?

400 Parthian Azat's threw an army of 50,000 mounted warriors against Mark Antony in 36 BC. Not all of that 50,000 would lack any sort of armour. We know they used spear and javelin cavalry who had some armour. The "lesser noble" cavalry may not have been able to purchase a full cataphract outfit but that doesn't mean they had to stay at home.

I think you misunderstood me; I was referring to the name 'Lesser Nobles' for Parthian horse archers. I find it a confusing name, and personally I prefer 'Parthian horse archers' to that, including the fact that they are lesser nobles in the description of the unit.

Interesting... so the Parthians used javelin wielding cavalry which was also able to handle itself in a charge. I didn't know that.



~Wiz

[sharrukin]

Sorry about the misunderstanding Wizard! By the way the "Azat" were the higher nobles as their numbers would suggest. I don't have the name for the lesser nobles yet. With regards to the spear/javelin combo you nailed it earlier;

"Sakae Tribesmen/Light Cavalry [Mercenaries]

Normal attack, fast, very weak defence, strong charge, poor morale, shield

(Long Scythian-style hair, moustache, tunic, baggy trousers, short boots, cowhide round shield which is slung over the back when using bow and equipped when using lance or sword, gorytos with bow slung over the hip, quiver slung over other hip, akinakes, simple saddle, Scythian [and later Mongolian] cut of the horse’s mane, no stirrups)

These tough Scythians from the northeastern frontiers of the Empire are levied from the vassal chieftains of the tribes there. Living a tough life, they learn to ride as soon as they can walk, and they are masterful horsemen. They can fight with lance, bow and sword in equal mastery. However, they are disloyal and cannot be relied on to fill important roles, but they can fill gaps in the line of horse archers in a Parthian army. They can only be hired from the eastern reaches of Iran [Note: if the map stretches that far]."

The more civilized Parthian version would lack the bow and maybe not as high morale.